Deborah S. Davidson

Partner

She/Her/Hers

Deborah S. Davidson represents plan sponsors, trustees, fiduciaries, service providers, and other clients facing a range of employee benefits litigation around the United States. Co-chair of the firm’s ERISA litigation practice, she has experience defending lawsuits involving all types of employee benefit plans, including 401(k) and 403(b) retirement plans, defined benefit plans, church plans, employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs), top-hat plans, severance plans, and health plans. Deborah has been recognized nationally for ERISA litigation by Chambers and The Legal 500. She has written and spoken extensively on a variety of employee benefits matters and served as the national employer co-chair of the American Bar Association’s Employee Benefits Committee. Deborah was selected by the Illinois Diversity Council (ILDC) as one of its 2016 Leadership Excellence in the Law award recipients.

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Extended Profile

In her benefits litigation practice, Deborah handles claims covering a host of issues. These include employer securities and employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs), retirement plan investments, plan fees and expenses, church plans, retirement and health plan service providers, retiree medical benefits, health and welfare plan issues, early retirement programs, severance plans, top-hat plans, alleged cutback or elimination of accrued benefits, claims to recover plan benefits, and other claims. Deborah also counsels clients on risk management including a variety of benefits issues.

Deborah frequently writes and speaks on employee benefits and ERISA litigation. She has been a chapter editor and contributing author for the Employee Benefits Law Treatise and Supplement (BNA) for chapters on fiduciary responsibility, ethics, and civil procedure. She is also a member of the national faculty of the ABA’s Joint Committee on Employee Benefits.

Education

University of Tulsa, 1995, B.A., With Honors
Washington University in St. Louis, 1998, J.D.

Admissions

Illinois
US Supreme Court
US Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
US Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
US Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
US Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit
US Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
US Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
US Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
US District Court for the Eastern District of Wisconsin
US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois
US District Court for the Central District of Illinois
US District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
US District Court for the Western District of Michigan
US District Court for the Eastern District of Texas
US District Court for the District of Colorado

Awards and Affiliations

Lawyer of the Year, Litigation - ERISA, Chicago, The Best Lawyers in America (2024)

Recognized, Litigation - ERISA, Chicago, The Best Lawyers in America (2022–2024)

Ranked, ERISA Litigation, Nationwide, Chambers USA (2014–2023)

Ranked, Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation, Illinois, Chambers USA (2014–2016, 2018–2023)

Leading Lawyer, Labor and employment: ERISA litigation, The Legal 500 US (2018–2023)

Recommended, ERISA Litigation, The Legal 500 US (2010–2017)

Recognized, Who’s Who Legal (2016)

Member, Practice Group of the Year, Employment, Law360 (2017, 2019)

Recipient, Leadership Excellence in the Law Award, Illinois Diversity Council (ILDC) (2016)

Recognized, Chicago 40 Under 40 Rising Stars, National Law Journal (2013)

American Bar Association: Labor and Employment Section, Employee Benefits Committee, Management Co-Chair (2013–present )

American Bar Association: Labor and Employment Section, Employee Benefits Committee, Management Co-Chair, Fiduciary Responsibility Subcommittee (2010–2012)

American Bar Association: Labor and Employment Section, Employee Benefits Committee, Programming Subcommittee (2010–2012)

American Bar Association: Labor and Employment Section, Employee Benefits Committee, Management Co-Chair, Ethics Subcommittee (2008–2010)

American Bar Association: Labor and Employment Section, Employee Benefits Committee, Management Co-Chair, Retention Subcommittee (2006–08)

American Bar Association: Labor and Employment Section, Employee Benefits Committee, National Faculty for Joint Committee on Employee Benefits (2007–present)

Chair, Chicago Bar Association Employee Benefits Committee (2006–07)

Vice-Chair, Chicago Bar Association Employee Benefits Committee (2005–06)

Secretary, Chicago Bar Association Employee Benefits Committee (2004–05)

Membership Chair, Metropolitan Family Services Metro Board (2006–08)

ESOP Association (2013–present)

National Center for Employee Ownership (2013–present)